Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles did not mince his words after beating Manchester United, claiming most of Jose Mourinho’s players “went missing” and that their defence “didn’t really know what to do”.

Manchester United lost ground to rivals Manchester City at the summit of the Premier League after a 1-0 defeat at Newcastle, while Arsenal’s top-four ambitions suffered a huge dent following their derby defeat against Tottenham.

When Manchester United visit St James' Park on Sunday, Jose Mourinho and his players can be certain of a hostile welcome from Newcastle United supporters but the backdrop to the game will be very different from the one George Best faced 47 years ago.

Newcastle United versus Manchester United used to be one of the great Premier League contests. Since Roy Keane slapped Alan Shearer 15 years ago, however, it has become a one-sided rivalry with the team in red usually victorious. And today Rafa Benitez, without a win at St James's Park in eight,...